CITY INSIDER / Parking meter rates, fines among highest in nation

San Francisco shares the top spot for the steepest parking meter fines in the United States and has the third-highest hourly parking rates for metered spaces. That was the finding of a new survey by the San Francisco...

Parents protest at scandalized LA grade school (AP)

AP - About three dozen parents and supporters have staged a protest at the Los Angeles-area elementary school rocked by allegations of lewd conduct crimes by two teachers against children.

Few answers in death of sons of missing Utah mom (AP)

AP - Josh Powell's note was simple and short, a farewell to the world after two years of being scrutinized in the media, hammered by police and questioned by judges, prosecutors and social workers, living his life under a microscope since the day his wife vanished.

Defense cuts test lawmakers' resolve on deficits (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama's call to shrink the military, shut bases and cancel weapons to meet the demand for budget cuts tests the resolve of lawmakers who came to Washington determined to slash the deficit.

US levies tougher sanctions on Iran's Central Bank (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama levied tough new sanctions on Iran's Central Bank Monday amid increased tensions over Tehran's nuclear program and the specter of an Israeli attack on the Islamic republic.

With economy improving, Obama would beat Romney: poll (Reuters)

Reuters - bolstered by a stronger economic outlook and recent job growth - would win in a match-up against the two leading Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, a poll on Monday showed.

Tax reform in this election year: It's not likely (AP)

AP - Politicians of all stripes in this election year are clamoring for simplifying the tax code and closing loopholes. But that would mean Americans could lose some of their prized deductions.

FACT CHECK: Obama, GOP spin recent energy stats (AP)

AP - You wouldn't know it from the Republicans, but these are boom times for American energy.

Oil falls below $97 as Greece debt raises concerns (AP)

AP - Oil prices fell Monday as talks stalled on a Greek debt deal needed to avoid a disastrous default, raising concerns about the region's economy and future demand.

Bigger US role against companies' cyberthreats? (AP)

AP - A developing Senate plan that would bolster the government's ability to regulate the computer security of companies that run critical industries is drawing strong opposition from businesses that say it goes too far and security experts who believe it should have even more teeth.

Fed should raise rates in 2013, Bullard says (Reuters)

Reuters - The Federal Reserve should start raising interest rates next year, a top Fed official said on Monday, arguing that even if rates stay near zero for many years, U.S. economic output will not bounce back to pre-recession levels.

Relax in the Great Outdoors at Kansas City Airport Marriott

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Experience the newly renovated Grand Pavilion when you stay at the Kansas City Airport Marriott. The hotel in Kansas City, Missouri , recently finished construction ...

Goldman's Blankfein campaigns for gay marriage (Reuters)

Reuters - Goldman Sachs Group Inc Chief Executive Lloyd Blankfein, one of Wall Street's most powerful figures, has become the first major business leader to join a national media campaign in support of same-sex marriage.

Marine sergeant accused of hazing goes to trial (AP)

AP - A second Marine is going to trial for allegedly hazing a fellow Marine who later fatally shot himself in Afghanistan.

Analysis: Euro zone strugglers lack innovative knack (Reuters)

Reuters - To get an idea of the economic mountain euro zone strugglers Greece and Portugal have to climb, consider this: per million inhabitants, they each filed fewer than eight applications with the European Patent Office in 2010.

US closes embassy in Syria (AP)

AP - The Obama administration has closed the U.S. Embassy in Damascus and pulled all American diplomats out of Syria.

Convicted City Councilor Charles ‘Chuck’ Turner challenges his removal from council

A Boston city councilor could be convicted of rape, terrorism, even murder, and still remain on the job until sentenced by a judge, the attorney for disgraced former Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner said today. Chester A. Darling appeared before the Supreme Judicial Court, intent on convincing the justices that the council violated Turner’s rights when they voted to kick him off the council ...

Obama: US has 'very good' intelligence on Iran (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama said the U.S. has a "very good estimate" of when Iran could complete work on a nuclear weapon, but cautioned that there are still many unanswered questions about Tehran's inner workings.

3rd US cruise ship sails after virus outbreak (AP)

AP - A third U.S.-based cruise ship with an outbreak of stomach illness has sailed again after being decontaminated in South Florida.

Obama: Syria can be solved without military action (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama says it is important to resolve the ongoing conflict in Syria without outside military intervention.

Eyeing greener acres, new farmers reap growing U.S. aid (Reuters)

Reuters - Dan Pugh wishes he had a bigger tractor and his wife Laura worries about their chickens in the winter weather. But as new farmers putting down roots in rural Missouri, the Pughs are counting on more rewards than regrets in trading their city lives for the country.

Ambassador Rice: Egypt must release Americans (AP)

AP - The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations is keeping up the Obama administration's pressure on Egypt to release 19 Americans facing trial on allegations of encouraging unrest in the country.

German industrial orders buoyed by global demand (AP)

AP - The German government says strong demand from outside the eurozone helped the country's industrial orders rise a stronger-than-expected 1.7 percent in December.

China growth could halve if Europe crisis worsens: IMF (Reuters)

Reuters - China's annual economic growth could be cut nearly in half this year if Europe's debt crisis tips the world economy into a recession, putting pressure on Beijing to unveil "significant" fiscal stimulus, the International Monetary Fund said.

"Intentional" explosion kills husband, two sons of missing woman (Reuters)

Reuters - An "intentional" house explosion on Sunday near Tacoma, Washington killed the husband and two sons of a Utah woman missing since December 2009, fire department officials said.

Europe's debt rose to 82 percent of output at end-Q3 (Reuters)

Reuters - The European Union's total government debt rose slightly to 82.2 percent of economic output in the third quarter of 2011, the EU's statistics agency said on Monday, lower than the United States but still a burden that could take decades to pay down.

Analysis: Iran economy could limp along under sanctions (Reuters)

Reuters - Tightening international sanctions against Iran look set to shrink its economy, push up inflation and further erode its currency, but they may fail to deliver a knock-out blow that forces Tehran to compromise on its nuclear ambitions.

Slab City: Living Off the Grid in California's Badlands (Time.com)

Time.com - Deep in the badlands of California is a squatters' camp that many are increasingly calling home -- and a paradise of sorts

Inside Facebook's IPO: How the Social Web Will Reshape the Economy (Time.com)

Time.com - Facebook's IPO -- the largest in Internet history -- is a once-in-a-generation milestone in the evolution of the web

Giants top Pats for 2nd Super Bowl in 4 years (AP)

AP - Tom Brady let his final pass fly toward the scrum of players in the end zone, hoping for an incredible finish.

IMF warns Europe downturn could cut China growth (AP)

AP - A sharp downturn in Europe could cut China's economic growth rate nearly in half, the International Monetary Fund said Monday, adding to warnings about a possible severe global slowdown this year.

City considers proposal to put more money in local credit unions

Portland’s City Council is considering a plan to invest part of the city’s tax dollars in local credit unions and community banks. But first, the city must change its own rules on investing. On Friday, Mayor Sam Adams released the draft of a three-page ordinance that would give the ...

France, German leaders meet amid euro, Syria crises (Reuters)

Reuters - The French and German leaders meet on Monday in Paris for annual talks in which they will seek further economic coordination in the crisis-hit European Union and discuss the escalating violence in Syria.

Police clear DC Occupy site, protesters look to a new day (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. police officers cleared tents from an "Occupy" protest site in downtown Washington on Sunday, but demonstrators said even without the camp they would continue to fight for economic equality and other issues.

Police clear DC Occupy site, protesters look to a new day (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. police officers cleared tents from an "Occupy" protest site in downtown Washington on Sunday, but demonstrators said even without the camp they would continue to fight for economic equality and other issues.

Ranchi city buses eye terminus

However, city buses will have to wait for sheds at bus stops along its routes.

Obama says he deserves re-election, job's not done (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama says he deserves re-election, despite the nation's economic troubles.

Europe's shadow darkens outlook (Reuters)

Reuters - A renewed focus on Europe's banking and debt crisis may quickly sap the nascent optimism about global economic prospects that followed a remarkably solid U.S. January employment report.

With sparse data, focus returns to Europe (Reuters)

Reuters - Europe will again be at the center of investors' focus this week as the U.S. earnings season passes the halfway mark and there is little on the economic calendar to give the market direction.

France says Greek PSI talks going "relatively well" (Reuters)

Reuters - France's finance minister said on Sunday talks were moving "relatively well" on the private sector portion of a Greek bailout, but discussions designed to bring its debt down to 120 pct of GDP level by 2020 were difficult.